U.S. patent number 7,790,211 [Application Number 10/565,946] was granted by the patent office on 2010-09-07 for package with partly foamable liquid by means of which a refreshment can be prepared.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sara Lee/DE N.V.. Invention is credited to Armin Sjoerd Eijsackers, Age Willem Tanja.
United States Patent |
7,790,211 |
Eijsackers , et al. |
September 7, 2010 |
Package with partly foamable liquid by means of which a refreshment
can be prepared
Abstract
A package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid
(2) by means of which a refreshment can be prepared, wherein the
package is provided with manually operable means (7) with which a
displacement of the gas and the liquid in the package can be
effected such that foam formation occurs in the package.
Inventors: |
Eijsackers; Armin Sjoerd
(Utrecht, NL), Tanja; Age Willem (Groningen,
NL) |
Assignee: |
Sara Lee/DE N.V. (Utrecht,
NL)
|
Family
ID: |
34102047 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/565,946 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2004 |
PCT
Filed: |
July 22, 2004 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/NL2004/000525 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
July 19, 2006 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2005/009865 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
February 03, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070031545 A1 |
Feb 8, 2007 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 28, 2003 [NL] |
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1024012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
426/112; 206/219;
426/115; 220/501; 206/221 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F
11/0065 (20130101); B01F 5/0685 (20130101); B01F
5/0682 (20130101); B65D 85/73 (20130101); B01F
5/0689 (20130101); B01F 3/04446 (20130101); A47J
43/27 (20130101); B01F 5/0693 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
81/32 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;99/287,295,297
;206/219,221 ;220/501,553,666 ;426/112,115,131,120,119,106 ;261/123
;215/6,900 ;222/92,129,251,429 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
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3838530 |
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May 1990 |
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DE |
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4332387 |
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Mar 1995 |
|
DE |
|
1462042 |
|
Sep 2004 |
|
EP |
|
2373710 |
|
Oct 2002 |
|
GB |
|
55-92130 |
|
Jul 1980 |
|
JP |
|
62-298433 |
|
Dec 1987 |
|
JP |
|
1029155 |
|
Apr 2006 |
|
NL |
|
WO 2005/063093 |
|
Jul 2005 |
|
WO |
|
WO 2008/147195 |
|
Dec 2008 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Becker; Drew E
Assistant Examiner: Smith; Preston
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Foley & Lardner LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A package for preparing a refreshment, the package including a
package space containing a gas and an at least a partly foamable
liquid wherein the package is provided with at least one manually
operable element with which a displacement of the gas and the
liquid in the package can be effected such that foam formation
occurs in the package space wherein the package space comprises at
least two chambers mutually connected by a channel located there
between, the liquid and the gas being displaceable between the at
least two chambers via the channel, wherein the channel is
associated with a fluid flow disturber for causing turbulence in
fluid flowing between the at least two chambers, wherein each of
the at least two chambers is configured for being varied by the at
least one manually operable element at least as to shape, wherein
the at least two chambers are each defined by a flexible wall,
wherein alternating distortion of the flexible wall at least
partially defining each of the at least two chambers, is configured
to cause the liquid and gas to flow through the flow disturber to
effect foam formation.
2. The package according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the
package space has been formed from a material configured so as to
be flexible.
3. The package according to claim 2, wherein the flexible material
is also elastic.
4. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
manually operable element comprises a bellows.
5. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
manually operable element comprises a piston within the package
space and which can be operated from outside the package.
6. The package according to claim 1, wherein the package space is
provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at
least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two
separate parts are connectable to each other.
7. The package according to claim 1, wherein the fluid flow
disturber comprises at least one of a constriction, a gauze, or
grid.
8. The package according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the at
least two chambers is at least partly filled with the gas.
9. The package according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the at
least two chambers is at least partly filled with the liquid.
10. The package according to claim 1 wherein at least a part of the
package is configured to be transparent.
11. The package according to claim 1 wherein at least a part of the
package is made from a plastic sheet.
12. The package according to claim 11, wherein the plastic sheet is
provided with at least one cup-shaped part.
13. The package according to claim 12, wherein the cup-shaped part
can be pressed in for displacing the gas and the liquid in the
package.
14. The package according to claim 13 wherein the liquid comprises
one of an extract and a concentrate.
15. The package according to claim 14 wherein the extract or the
concentrate comprises a coffee extract.
16. The package according to claim 1 further comprising a provision
for opening the package space so that the at least partly foamed
liquid and the package can be separated from each other.
17. The package according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of
the package is made from a flexible material.
18. The package according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
manually operable element comprises a bellows.
19. The package according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
manually operable element comprises a bellows.
20. The package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
manually operable element comprises a piston within the package
space and which can be operated from outside the package.
21. The package according to claim 2, wherein the at least one
manually operable element comprises a piston within the package
space and which can be operated from outside the package.
22. The package according to claim 3, wherein the at least one
manually operable element comprises a piston within the package
space and which can be operated from outside the package.
23. The package according to claim 2, wherein the package space is
provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at
least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two
separate parts are connectable to each other.
24. The package according to claim 3, wherein the package space is
provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at
least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two
separate parts are connectable to each other.
25. The package according to claim 4, wherein the package space is
provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at
least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two
separate parts are connectable to each other.
26. The package according to claim 5, wherein the package space is
provided with at least two separate parts which each comprise at
least one of the at least two chambers and which at least two
separate parts are connectable to each other.
27. The package according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the
at least two chambers is at least partly filled with the gas.
28. A package for creating a foam layer in a liquid refreshment,
the package comprising: a first chamber defined at least partially
by a first flexible wall; a second chamber in fluid communication
with the first chamber and defined at least partially by a second
flexible wall; a flow disturber located between the first chamber
and the second chamber and configured to disturb the liquid
refreshment flowing between the first chamber and the second
chamber; wherein alternating distortion of the first flexible wall
and the second flexible wall is configured to cause liquid
refreshment to flow through the flow disturber between the first
and second chambers to create the foam layer.
29. The package according to claim 28, wherein pressure applied to
the first flexible wall alters the volume and shape of the first
chamber and pressure applied to the second flexible wall alters the
volume and shape of the second chamber.
30. An apparatus to generate foam in a liquid, the apparatus
comprising: a first chamber configured to contain at least a first
portion of the liquid, the first chamber defined by a side wall, an
upper wall, and a bottom wall; a second chamber coupled to the
first chamber and configured to contain at least a second portion
of the liquid, the second chamber defined by a side wall, an upper
wall, and a bottom wall; a channel between the first chamber and
the second chamber to allow movement of liquid between the first
chamber and the second chamber; wherein at least one of the upper
wall or the lower wall of the first chamber is made from a flexible
material so that squeezing of the first chamber decreases the
volume within the first chamber and forces liquid from the first
chamber through the channel and into the second chamber; wherein at
least one of the upper wall or the lower wall of the second chamber
is made from a flexible material so that squeezing of the second
chamber decreases the volume within the second chamber and forces
liquid from the second chamber through the channel and into the
first chamber; wherein movement of the liquid through the channel
during use by alternating squeezing of the first chamber and the
second chamber introduces gas in the liquid to generate foam.
31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein squeezing of the
first chamber changes the volume and space of the first chamber,
and squeezing of the second chamber changes the volume and shape of
the second chamber.
Description
The invention relates to a package including a gas and an at least
partly foamable liquid by means of which a refreshment can be
prepared.
The invention also relates to a method for obtaining foam in a
package including a gas and an at least partly foamable liquid, by
means of which foam a refreshment can be prepared while the method
comprises displacing the liquid and the gas in the package.
In addition, the invention relates to a method for preparing coffee
suitable for immediate consumption, which is provided with a foam
layer.
Such a device is known from DE 43 32 387. Herein, an airtight
holder is described in which a liquid extract is included. A part
of the volume of the holder is occupied by air. Before opening of
the package takes place, the holder can be shaken, the air and the
liquid mixing such that foam is formed in the holder. During
mixing, the gas is, as it were, taken up by the liquid leading to
the formation of air bubbles. When air bubble formation occurs
frequently, foam is formed. When the holder is opened, the foam can
be drunk or be introduced into a cup or the like.
A drawback of such a package is that shaking requires rather
conspicuous operations. For some people, these operations are
unpleasant to perform. To effect sufficient foam formation, the
package is sometimes to be shaken quite vigorously. This also
requires space, which is not always available to the user of the
known package.
An object of the invention is to meet at least one of the
above-mentioned drawbacks.
This object is achieved with a package according to the invention
which is characterized in that the package is provided with
manually operable means with which a displacement of the gas and
the liquid in the package can be effected such, that foam formation
occurs in the package. Due to the presence of manually operable
means for displacing the liquid and the gas, it is no longer
necessary to shake the package vigorously to and fro. Also, when in
use, no additional space is required for carrying out the shaking
movement.
In this document, the liquid and/or the gas is also sometimes
expressed in a general term, i.e. a fluid.
A special embodiment of a package according to the invention is H
characterized in that the means are designed for manually varying,
at least as to shape, the package space for the liquid and the gas.
Thus, in a very simple manner, the gas and the liquid are displaced
in the package. Further, with respect to a shaking movement, the
package can be held, at least virtually, stationary in one
position, which entails a less conspicuous preparation of foam.
Preferably it holds, that the means comprise a material, designed
so as to be flexible from which at least a part of the package has
been manufactured. The flexible material can be squeezed together,
be dented or folded so that at least a part of the liquid and the
gas, in fact the part that was present in a volume part of the
package that is squeezed together, dented or folded, moves within
the package so that foam formation can occur in the package.
In particular it holds, that the means also comprise at least two
mutually connected chambers between which the liquid and/or the gas
are displaceable. In that case, the liquid and/or the gas can move
from one chamber to the other chamber and, optionally, vice versa.
This can take place, for instance, by first decreasing the volume
of the one chamber so that the liquid and the gas flow to the other
chamber. Then, the volume of this other chamber can be decreased,
so that the liquid and the gas flow back again to the one chamber.
This cycle can be repeated many times so that a much foam formation
can occur and the liquid and the gas can turn to foam, if possible
completely.
In particular, it holds that the means comprise a fluid flow
disturber. By disturbing the fluid flow, gas and liquid are mixed
better so that foam formation occurs easier. This fluid flow
disturber can comprise at least one channel, constriction or grid
located between the at least two chambers.
The fluid flow disturber can also comprise turbulence means for
causing turbulence in a fluid flow. As a result, per volume unit, a
highly efficient mixing of gas and liquid takes place which is
beneficial to the formation of foam. The turbulence means can
comprise small obstacles, breaking up the fluid flow at that
location. The turbulence means can for instance also comprise a
widening of a channel through which the fluid flows.
Preferably it holds, that at least a part of the package is
designed so as to be transparent. This offers the advantage that a
user can observe to what extent foam formation has been
effected.
The invention is presently elucidated with reference to a drawing.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1a schematically shows a side view of a first embodiment of a
package according to the invention;
FIG. 1b shows a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1a;
FIG. 1c shows a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, while
a pressure is exerted on a part of the package;
FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of a second embodiment of a
package according to the invention;
FIG. 3 schematically shows a side view of a third embodiment of a
package according to the invention;
FIG. 4 schematically shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a
package according to the invention;
FIG. 5 schematically shows a side view of a fifth embodiment of a
package according to the invention;
FIG. 6a schematically shows a top plan view of a sixth embodiment
of a package according to the invention;
FIG. 6b schematically shows a side view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 6a;
FIG. 7a schematically shows a top plan view of a seventh embodiment
of a package according to the invention; and
FIG. 7b schematically shows a side view of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 7a.
Identical parts are provided in the drawing with identical
reference signs.
Each embodiment of a package 1 according to the invention comprises
a package including a gas (not shown) and an at least partly
foamable liquid 2. With this liquid, a refreshment can be prepared.
The package is provided with manually operable means with which a
displacement of the gas and the liquid 2 in the package 1 can be
effected such that foam formation occurs in the package 1. It will
be clear to the skilled person that the embodiments of the package
according to the invention described here each comprise a closed
package. In particular, the means are designed for manually
varying, at least as to shape, a package space 3 for the liquid 2
and the gas. It is possible that the means comprise a material 7
designed so as to be flexible from which at least a part of the
package 1 has been manufactured.
For the embodiment of FIG. 1a it holds, that the means comprise at
least two mutually connected chambers 4, 4', between which the
liquid 2 and the gas are displaceable. The means also comprise a
fluid flow disturber. The fluid flow disturber can for instance
comprise a channel 5 (see FIGS. 1a-1c) or a constriction or grid 6
(see FIG. 5) located between the at least two chambers 4, 4'. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the chambers 4, 4' comprise raised
walls 8 comprising relatively rigid parts. An upper wall 9 and a
lower wall 10 have been manufactured from flexible, and in this
example even elastic, materials and can be squeezed together.
According to this example, the raised walls 8 will hardly, if at
all, bend along with the flexible upper wall 9 and lower wall 10.
When squeezing the upper wall 9 and lower wall 10 together as
indicated with the arrows P in FIG. 1c, the volume of the chamber 4
is decreased. The volume of chamber 4' will increase as shown in
FIG. 1c. Both the liquid 2 and the gas will now flow from the
chamber 4 via channel 5 to the chamber 4'. In an embodiment in
which the flexible material is designed to be also elastic, when
the squeezing forces are removed, the volume of chamber 4 will
increase again and an optionally occurring sucking effect can cause
the liquid and the gas to flow back again from chamber 4' to
chamber 4. Upon an increase of the volume of chamber 4, the volume
of the chamber 4' will decrease again. It is also possible to
alternately squeeze together chamber 4 and chamber 4', so that the
fluid moves to-and-fro between these chamber and foam formation
occurs as a result of the liquid and the gas mixing. Due to the
diameter of the constriction of channel 5 with respect to the size
of the chambers 4 and 4', the fluid, comprising both the liquid and
the gas, cannot flow freely from chamber 4 to chamber 4' and back.
The fluid is urged to flow via channel 5. The constriction the
fluid flow encounters when flowing from chamber 4 in the direction
of chamber 4' and vice versa, and the widening the fluid flow
experiences when the fluid flow flows from channel 5 into either
chamber 4' or chamber 4, cause a disturbance of the fluid flow. As
a result, the gas and the liquid are mixed with each other and foam
formation occurs.
In FIG. 2, in chamber 4, a spring 11 is included. In the example as
shown in FIG. 2, the raised wails 8 of chamber 4 are manufactured
from a flexible material. The upper wall 9 and lower wall 10 can be
manufactured from a relatively rigid material. It is possible that
with this variant, only the chamber with the spring 11 needs to be
alternately pressed and relaxed for obtaining a fluid flow which
moves via channel 5 between the chambers 4, 4'.
In FIG. 3, an embodiment is shown in which the means designed for
manually varying, at least as to shape, a package space for the
liquid and the gas, comprise a bellows. The bellows can also
comprise a spring 11. In this case, preferably, the walls 18 of the
chamber 4 are designed to be relatively rigid. Preferably, the wall
12 of the bellows is manufactured from a flexible material 7.
The means as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can be operated as follows. The
volume of the chamber 4 can be reduced against the spring force. As
a result thereof, the liquid and gas present in chamber 4 will be
urged to flow via channel 5 to chamber 4'. Upon elimination of the
applied force, i.e. when the spring 11 is relaxed, the volume of
chamber 4 will increase again. It is possible that then, a sucking
effect occurs such that at least a part of the liquid and gas
present in chamber 4' flows back again into the chamber 4 of a
package 1. As explained in the description of FIG. 1, as a result
of the flow through channel 5, foam formation can occur because
channel 5 acts as a fluid flow disturber promoting to a large
extent the mixing of the liquid and gas.
As shown in FIG. 4, the means designed for manually varying, at
least as to shape, a package space for the liquid and the gar, can
comprise a piston 12 which is included in a package and which can
be operated from an outside of a package 1. The piston 12 links up
to the relatively rigid upper wall 9 and lower wall 10 of a package
as drawn in FIG. 4. Optionally, in chamber 4, between the piston 12
and the channel 5, also a spring 11 can be included.
The means of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 can be operated as
follows. The piston 12 is moveable in the direction of the chamber
4'. The piston can be operated by applying a force in the direction
of the chamber 4' to a projecting part 14 of the package 1 in which
a driving part 19 of the piston is included. A part of the package
1 located, in the position shown in FIG. 4, on a side of the piston
remote from the liquid 2, comprises a flexible material 7 so that
it can move along with the driving part 19. The driving part 19 is
connected, preferably on an inside of the package, to a part of the
flexible material 7. Further, the driving part can be provided with
a pulling member (not shown) which, optionally, reaches beyond the
package and which serves for returning the piston 12. A spring (not
shown) can cause the piston, when released after being pressed in,
to move such that the content of the chamber 4 is increased
again.
FIG. 5 also comprises a package with two chambers 4, 4'. In this
case, the fluid flow disturber comprises a grid 6 included in the
package at a position where chamber 4 is connected to chamber 4'.
However, it could also be stated that chamber 4 and chamber 4' can
be considered to be one whole and that approximately in the middle
of this whole a gauze, or grid, is included for disturbing a fluid
flow which can occur when a package space 3 is manually varied, at
least as to shape. This is possible as in this example, the package
is manufactured, at least partly, from a flexible material. When
the fluid flows through the gauze or the grid 6, foam formation
will also occur as the gas and the liquid will mix due to the
liquid being disturbed.
In FIG. 6a, a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a package
according to the invention is shown. In this case, each of the
chambers 4, 4' of the package 1 comprises a downwardly directed
bulge UB, UB'. In this case, each bulge UB, UB' is manufactured
from a flexible material. Therefore, it is possible to press the
bulge in, in upward direction, such as for instance in the
direction of the arrows S. By alternately pressing in first bulge
UB and then bulge UB', the liquid and the gas present in the
package will flow from chamber 4 to chamber 4', and from chamber 4'
back to chamber 4, respectively. In this case, this fluid flow will
also have to take place via channel 5. The above-described effects
that occur when the fluid flows through the fluid flow disturber
such as channel 5 will, in this case too, lead to foam formation.
This package is designed to be symmetrical and can moreover be
manufactured in a relatively inexpensive and simple manner. The
part of the package shown in FIG. 6b can comprise a plastic top
sheet provided with two cup-shaped parts each comprising a bulge
UB, UB'. Channel 5 too can be included in the part shown in FIG.
6b. The part of the package shown in FIG. 6a can be provided with
an, optionally transparent, plastic top sheet closing off the bulge
UB, UB' and the channel 5 on the top side shown in FIG. 6, so that
a closed package is involved. The part, hatched in FIG. 6a, can
then serve as a contact surface visible due to the transparent top
sheet where the two plastic sheets have been attached to each
other.
In FIG. 7a, a top plan view of a similar package as the one shown
in FIG. 6a is represented. However, in this case, the channel 5 is
also provided with turbulence means for causing turbulence in the
fluid flow. In this case, the turbulence means comprise a widening
of the channel 5 included in the channel 5. It is also possible
that the turbulence means comprise obstacles in channel 5.
In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1a, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a level of
liquid VS is indicated. Preferably it holds, that in the positions
of the embodiments shown, this level of liquid VS is such that the
level of liquid extends through the fluid flow disturber. As a
result, when the liquid is displaced, in virtually all cases, an
amount of gas is taken along into the fluid flow disturber so that
mixing of the gas and the liquid can take place and can lead to
foam formation.
For each embodiment it holds that it is possible to therewith carry
out a method, also according to the invention. This method is
directed to obtaining foam in a package including a gas and an at
least partly foamable liquid. The method comprises displacing the
liquid and the gas in the package, The method also comprises
varying, at least as to shape, a package space of the liquid and
the gas. It is possible that the variation as to shape also entails
a variation as to volume.
Such a package according to the invention and method can be used in
a method, also according to be invention, for preparing coffee
directly suitable for consumption which is provided with a foam
layer. Such a method also comprises separating the at least partly
foamed liquid from the package and adding a drinkable liquid such
as, for instance, water and/or milk to the at least partly foamed
liquid. With this, it is possible to prepare from an extract a cup
of coffee with a foam layer, for which there is a need
nowadays.
The invention is not limited in any manner to the exemplary
embodiments shown. For instance, it is possible that the means are
provided with at least two separate parts, each comprising at least
one chamber 4, 4' and being connectable to each other. Then, it can
hold that at least one of the at least two chambers is at least
partly filled with the gas, and at least another of the at least
two chambers is at least partly filled with the liquid. For
instance, a chamber with gas can be supplied or sold once, and,
each time, be connectable again to a new chamber including a
liquid. As stated, the package is preferably designed to be
transparent.
The liquid in the package can comprise an extract. Preferably, a
coffee extract is involved here, in which, optionally, a coffee
milk extract is included. For instance, a cappuccino extract can be
involved. If desired, such an extract can be aromatized. However,
other extracts are possible too. Here, cocoa extract, fruit juice
extract and soup extract can be considered. However, the liquid can
also comprise a concentrate or other instant products which can be
foamed.
The package can also comprise a provision for opening the package
so that the at least partly foamed liquid and the package can be
separated from each other. The chambers 4, 4' can be designed such
that, upon reduction of the chamber volume, each of them already
urges the liquid and the gas in the direction of the fluid flow
disturber.
Such variants are all understood to fall within the framework of
the invention.
* * * * *